WIW 1979 Camaro Z28 project

[JKZ27]

I'm curious what you guys might think a complete, running, driving original 79 Z28 might be worth as a project. It is brown with tan standard int, 4 speed, 350. Well equipped less T top. 70K miles. It is rusty but not rusted out. All opinions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

John

[firstgenaddict]

Nice survivors are 30k-40k?
Restored examples are what 20-30k?
How complete is the key on the late 70's Z's.
All of the smog and hoses carb, etc etc?
Which wheels?
IMHO no T-tops is the more valuable configuration.

[carnut4life]

Sound like a 10k or less car to me but you might want to go to nastyz28.com and ask over there for a lot more opinions. Best of luck.

[EZ Nova]

Nice survivors are 30k-40k?
Restored examples are what 20-30k?
How complete is the key on the late 70's Z's.
All of the smog and hoses carb, etc etc?
Which wheels?
IMHO no T-tops is the more valuable configuration.

Thank you for this. I have a survivor 1978, Yellow w/tan int. 350/auto, NO t-tops with AC and the turbine wheels. Mostly original paint and a blow in or 2. Only 32,500 miles and an OG California car.

It will be going up for sale next week as the wife wants it gone. So this info/pricing helps.

Thank you

[JKZ27]

Nice survivors are 30k-40k?
Restored examples are what 20-30k?
How complete is the key on the late 70's Z's.
All of the smog and hoses carb, etc etc?
Which wheels?
IMHO no T-tops is the more valuable configuration.

Yes, I agree, James. Thank you.
Mine has the turbine wheels. I don't think it was equipped with smog. Sold from Solt Chevrolet in PA. Its a great driving car, just looks like hell(just like my 69).

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Cool cars and just like the older stuff, original examples hard to find now too.
Keep in mind Canada Vintage Services has RPO specific Paperwork available now for most all '77 and up GM product regardless of build plant location or dealer billed/shipped to new, not just Canadian built/delivered cars.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[Lynn]

Sound like a 10k or less car to me but you might want to go to nastyz28.com and ask over there for a lot more opinions. Best of luck.

Rusted 79 Z/28 is WAY under $10k, although the 4 speed helps some. Just a good paint job with nothing else, and you are under water.

JMHO, but take this with a grain of salt. I am just not a fan of 74 to 83 GM vehicles, with VERY few exceptions. One exception is a survivor, which is cool regardless of year and model.

[firstgenaddict]

Thank you for this. I have a survivor 1978, Yellow w/tan int. 350/auto, NO t-tops with AC and the turbine wheels. Mostly original paint and a blow in or 2. Only 32,500 miles and an OG California car.

It will be going up for sale next week as the wife wants it gone. So this info/pricing helps.

Thank you

Yellow over tan is killer for a late 70's DISCO themed ride.

[JKZ27]

Rusted 79 Z/28 is WAY under $10k, although the 4 speed helps some. Just a good paint job with nothing else, and you are under water.

I agree, Lynn. I love the look and paint/stripe options on 78-81s but the build quality is quite awful. Especially on the interiors.

[hogdaddy]

Check the rear frame rails especially.

[Jonesy]

I agree with Lynn. Without seeing pics $5k-8K is my guess.
I have a 33,000 original paint, loaded with options 79Z and I dont think theres anyway I get $30K-$40K. (Maybe low $20's)
If so, its for sale :)

[EZ Nova]

Jonesy, I sorta agree BUT looking online, your sure to get high 20's as that is the second most desirable yr of the '77-'81's. It's just behind the 1978 as the desirable due to the '78 as the crossover yr as it's the newer body style/striping compared to the '77, yet retains the desired "cockpit" style wrap around dash that is pretty much the same as a 1970 Camaro.

These cars are going up nicely as now the guys that liked these as teenagers can afford them, compared to a nice 60's or earliy 70's classic. Seems nice ones are bringing strong $$$

Then again, I could be biased......

[Tracker1]

Ok, I will take some of this action. Here is mine - mostly original paint except for blow-in on the passenger rear quarter. Headers and 2.5" exhaust only thing added. I paid 19K. 4-speed with tan plaid cloth interior, code 63 Camel Metallic exterior, exactly like my older brother's brand new 1978 he brought home from the dealership that January.

[JKZ27]

You guys are killing me with these pics! This is a car I need to part with and its hard enough without such a display.
Keep em coming!

[njsteve]

Here's a shot from my highschool back in 1980. The rich kids had the new Z28's. Us poor kids had the delapidated 10 year old muscle cars. :-)

[Tracker1]

Question i always had for my brother was why buy a new Z28 when he had his pick of of used musclecars.
His answer was "Dad wouldnt co-sign for an 8-10 year old car". He test drove a 1970 SS 396 Chevelle, autumn Gold, Dad said NOPE. In 10 months he traded even up for a 1968 L79 Vette convertible without Dad's ok. My father's vicious tirade still rings in my ears - I was 10. He was livid.

[carnut4life]

I misunderstood you John, I thought you were looking to buy a 79 Z28 project, not sell one. If I had a car like that and was looking to move it I'd slap it on eBay for 5k with no reserve and let it go for if your not sentimental to it.

[NorCam]

I'm with Des & Jonesy on the value of these late 2nd gen cars. IMO, a good project car with a few rust concerns can be bought for 5K-8K while a decent driver can still be found from 8K to 12K depending on the options and whether it's a stick car or not. I have also seen some rust free driver cars in the 12K to 18K range that were real strong looking cars. Finally, you can find nice low mile survivors in the 18K to 28K range if you look around.

I put little faith that any of the high priced eBay cars are selling for what some people are asking. The current push on classic muscle cars is surely dragging these cars along some, but I doubt either genre will continue to climb and highly suspect there will be a cooling in the next 6-12 months. So...what's a real nice low mile 77/78 driver worth? IMO, clean ones are still around and easily bought for 18K to 22K, while nice survivor cars can still be found for 22K to 28K. They built boatloads of these cars, and they are anything but rare.

Just look around...

[Luvchevs]

A few questions/ comments.
Why are solid roof cars more desirable? I thought T roofs were so cool back in the day.
I thought last year 1981s might be most sought after, especially Canadian cars with the 350 and 4 speed that was not available in US?
I really like the 1 year only Bright Blue colour from 1978.
Jonesy, really like your car! The dark blue was what I wanted back in the day! There was a local guy to me that bought one new and put Centerline wheels on it, looked Awesome! If you decide to part was the car please let me know.
I find it interesting the big price gap between Z/28 and TAs, especially the Black and Gold ones that did not seem very rare when they were new.

[Lynn]

"Why are solid roof cars more desirable? I thought T roofs were so cool back in the day."

1. Rattles
2. Theft issues.

[Dusk Blue Z]

Lynn,

I'll add leaks to your list. My wife has a 78 TA with the Hurst Tops. Some of the weather strip is available. The most important piece is the rain deflector is not, at least I have not been able to find one.

It's Hurst P/N 216M035 Hatch Weatherseal in case anyone knows of any available.

Mike

[danachevroletfor1967]

Here are some pics of my bought new '78 Z28 in Carmine Metallic. I had the IROC style front air dam installed in Jan., 1979. It currently has 98,000 miles on it and runs great. I have no idea what it might be worth, but I have no intention of selling it. It is my favorite Camaro of all the ones I have owned.

[EZ Nova]

A few questions/ comments.
Why are solid roof cars more desirable? I thought T roofs were so cool back in the day.
I thought last year 1981s might be most sought after, especially Canadian cars with the 350 and 4 speed that was not available in US?


I really like the 1 year only Bright Blue colour from 1978.


Jonesy, really like your car! The dark blue was what I wanted back in the day! There was a local guy to me that bought one new and put Centerline wheels on it, looked Awesome! If you decide to part was the car please let me know.
I find it interesting the big price gap between Z/28 and TAs, especially the Black and Gold ones that did not seem very rare when they were new.

You "really like the 1 year only Bright Blue colour from 1978." I'm TRYING to save this one! Original Canadaian car, 3 owners and know they all. 350 4 sp, NEVER winter driven but been out in snow last 5 yrs. Body NO RUST anywhere YET. I was good friends with 2nd owner and I sorta grew up in the passenger seat of that one. 3rd owner says he will sell TO ME only since I have history with it. Then he might keep it. He wants the '69 M22 and '69 Camaro 12 bolt out of it. Was going to buy it, then HE backed out. Car has been stripped and painted twice and WILL need a 3rd as it is laquor and has cracked on most the roof, some of hood and trunk from being left outside.Will try again soon:

[Andy]

This is my uncle's 78 Z that he bought as a dealer demo with about 7K miles. Still has it today. 350, auto, power steering, AC, turbine wheels. 130K miles on it now and still runs great.

[WILMASBOYL78]

I worked at a Chevy dealership from 78-81...we sold a lot of these cars. Hard to believe it was that long ago. I remember one local 'rich kid' whose father leased him a new Z-28 every couple of years...he was a trouble maker and drove the service dept. crazy. Of course we had quite a few L82 Corvettes too...great memories. :beers:

-wilma

[GearheadSS]

A few questions/ comments.
Why are solid roof cars more desirable? I thought T roofs were so cool back in the day.
I thought last year 1981s might be most sought after, especially Canadian cars with the 350 and 4 speed that was not available in US?
I really like the 1 year only Bright Blue colour from 1978.
Jonesy, really like your car! The dark blue was what I wanted back in the day! There was a local guy to me that bought one new and put Centerline wheels on it, looked Awesome! If you decide to part was the car please let me know.
I find it interesting the big price gap between Z/28 and TAs, especially the Black and Gold ones that did not seem very rare when they were new.

I don't think they are. Maybe I'm wrong on the Camaros but when it comes to the late 70s Trans Ams, T-Tops are more desirable. Personally, I wouldn't want a hardtop.

[Luvchevs]

E Z Nova

That is the Blue I was referring to!
Good luck trying to secure it!

Dave

[carnut4life]

The 78 blue must be pretty close to the 81 which was one year only as well but they are different paint codes. I wouldn't want T-tops on one of these cars if it was a year round driver but as a collector car it's almost a must have to me. Mom's T-tops didn't leak in her Z28 back in the day but she NEVER took them out. Dad took them out one time after he washed a couple years after she bought it just to see what it would look like and she was so mad when she saw it that she stormed off crying. They never came out again until I bought it off her in 1998. Been in the family almost 40 years now.

[drdave69]

The 78 blue must be pretty close to the 81 which was one year only as well but they are different paint codes. I wouldn't want T-tops on one of these cars if it was a year round driver but as a collector car it's almost a must have to me. Mom's T-tops didn't leak in her Z28 back in the day but she NEVER took them out. Dad took them out one time after he washed a couple years after she bought it just to see what it would look like and she was so mad when she saw it that she stormed off crying. They never came out again until I bought it off her in 1998. Been in the family almost 40 years now.

I would love to find that very car in either 1980 or 1981 years. My wife had a 1980 brand new when she was in college and would like to find one for her. She loved that car.

[Luvchevs]

The 78 blue must be pretty close to the 81 which was one year only as well but they are different paint codes. I wouldn't want T-tops on one of these cars if it was a year round driver but as a collector car it's almost a must have to me. Mom's T-tops didn't leak in her Z28 back in the day but she NEVER took them out. Dad took them out one time after he washed a couple years after she bought it just to see what it would look like and she was so mad when she saw it that she stormed off crying. They never came out again until I bought it off her in 1998. Been in the family almost 40 years now.

VERY NICE!
Can you share more of the history of the car?
So, your Mom bought it new?
Current mileage?
Looks awesome!
Sounds like it will be in the family forever, but please let me know if you decide to part with it.

[carnut4life]

Here's a link to the car I posted on nastyZ28.com while the car was being restored. I didn't share anything about the car here on the Yenko site since it's not really what I would consider a muscle car but it's the one car I'll never sell. My brother said she bought it in 1982 so I was off a year in my original post.

https://nastyz28.com/threads/moms-1981-z28.311568/

[jwbavalon]

Great story. Thanks for the link.

[Tracker1]

Here's a link to the car I posted on nastyZ28.com while the car was being restored. I didn't share anything about the car here on the Yenko site since it's not really what I would consider a muscle car but it's the one car I'll never sell. My brother said she bought it in 1982 so I was off a year in my original post.

https://nastyz28.com/threads/moms-1981-z28.311568/

Just goes to show the power of nostalgia and sentimental value - not many would give up a Lucy Blue '72 4-speed Trans Am (one of THE rarest Trans Ams ever produced) for an '81 Z. Great, great story and condolences to you and your family for your Mom.

[carnut4life]

Thanks Des. Selling the Trans Am was a pretty easy choice once Mom's health started to fail. In researching the cars history after I bought it I found a previous owner I don't feel comfortable dealing with had owned the car so it had lost it's luster to me anyway by then. 71 and 72 TA's are still one of my favorite cars though, especially the blue 4 speeds.